restart_container

Does the description disclose side effects, auth requirements, rate limits, or destructive behavior?

No annotations are present, so the description carries the full burden of behavioral disclosure. It only states the action without explaining side effects (e.g., stopping then starting), required permissions, reversibility, or how the operation affects the container's configuration/state. This is a significant gap for a mutating tool.

Agents need to know what a tool does to the world before calling it. Descriptions should go beyond structured annotations to explain consequences.

Is the description appropriately sized, front-loaded, and free of redundancy?

The description is a single concise sentence with no redundant text or structural issues. It is front-loaded and efficient, though it could be slightly expanded to include behavioral context without becoming verbose.

Shorter descriptions cost fewer tokens and are easier for agents to parse. Every sentence should earn its place.

Given the tool's complexity, does the description cover enough for an agent to succeed on first attempt?

Despite having a simple schema, there is no output schema or annotations, and the description does not mention return values, whether it waits for the container to be healthy, or any other post-restart behavior. Given the tool's mutating nature, this level of detail is insufficient for an agent to understand the full scope of the operation.

Complex tools with many parameters or behaviors need more documentation. Simple tools need less. This dimension scales expectations accordingly.

Does the description clarify parameter syntax, constraints, interactions, or defaults beyond what the schema provides?

The input schema provides complete descriptions for both parameters (id and format), covering 100% of parameters. The description itself does not add any parameter-level meaning beyond the schema, so the baseline score of 3 applies.

Input schemas describe structure but not intent. Descriptions should explain non-obvious parameter relationships and valid value ranges.

Does the description clearly state what the tool does and how it differs from similar tools?

The description states the specific action 'Restart' applied to 'a Docker container', which is clear and distinct from sibling tools like start_container and stop_container. However, it does not explicitly differentiate itself from those siblings, though the verb 'restart' implicitly covers stop+start.

Agents choose between tools based on descriptions. A clear purpose with a specific verb and resource helps agents select the right tool.

Does the description explain when to use this tool, when not to, or what alternatives exist?

There is no guidance on when to use this tool versus the alternatives such as start_container or stop_container. The description does not provide context for choosing restart over stop/start, nor does it mention any preconditions or scenarios where restart is appropriate.

Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.